Cool little mini layout

[Lucas in Alaska]

I have a pdf of it somewhere. It was in one of the magazines but I don’t remember which one or what year. Pm me your email and I’ll dig it out and send it to you.

I would also love to see the track plan. It’s a nice looking layout.

[MK]

That pistol is not going to work.  There's no oxygen in space to support combustion of the gun powder.   

[Maletrain]

That pistol is not going to work.  There's no oxygen in space to support combustion of the gun powder.   

Not sure if you are joking, given that troll face emoji.

So, at the risk of being pedantic: gun powder does not need atmospheric oxygen to "burn". 

The chemicals in modern gun powder (nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine and a few other possibilities) are just large, unstable molecules that can release energy by their component atoms rearranging themselves into smaller molecules that are (mostly) gases instead of solids - and release a lot of heat in the process.  Something that raises the energy level high enough in the solid powders (like the pressure+heat of a primer) initiates the rearrangement.

Even the old "black powder" did not need atmospheric oxygen to burn.  It was a mixture of sulfur, carbon and potassium nitrate.  The nitrate provides the "oxidizer" in the mixture.  And, just a hard hit will start its "burn", which is more like a slow explosion.

So, just like a solid-fueled rocket, a gun will work just fine in the vacuum of space.

[GimpLizard]

Very nice! Does my heart good to see so much C&NW yellow and green. Was there an overall track plan of that layout posted anywhere?

Jim

That layout was featured in the July 2010 N-Scale magazine.

[DKS]

Micro layouts...the new addiction crisis?

Puh. Been doing this since before dirt. I laugh at your silly new addiction.

[u18b]

I love his work as well.

However, I think the choice of equipment conflicts with the tight curves.

The GP60 and cylindrical hopper don't go well.
I think it would look better with an MP15  (or even a TP70 !     )
With a limit of no more than 50 foot cars.

[CRL]

Running the train a warp speed doesn’t help the illusion to not appear toylike.

[NSEGeorge]

That pistol is not going to work.  There's no oxygen in space to support combustion of the gun powder.   

I point you to the development that never worked:   

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrojet

Sorry to go off topic, but I thought it was cool.

[dem34]

I love his work as well.

However, I think the choice of equipment conflicts with the tight curves.

The GP60 and cylindrical hopper don't go well.
I think it would look better with an MP15  (or even a TP70 !     )
With a limit of no more than 50 foot cars.

An MP15 lettered for a shortline sending some beer can tank cars to storage would also be pretty cool for this.

[milw12]

Ha ha the first hit is free.

That is the problem it looks so easy to whip up something like this that you just wanna do it.

This really sums up micros perfectly, they look easier than they are. It can be challenging in different ways, composition is crucial and it's almost too easy to jump into the next one. But they are fun!

A nice layout, thanks for sharing it Chris, there are some gems on youtube.

Lucas

[peteski]

While what is presented in this thread is nice, we also have couple of mini-layout masters right here: DKS  and Chris333.  Both have produced multiple excellent examples.

[mmagliaro]

100% agree about the equipment.  40's cars and 4-axle diesels or a switcher would look far better.  A little 0-4-0 with tender would be great for steam.

[MVW]

That layout was featured in the July 2010 N-Scale magazine.

It's a nice little design. I like the staging capability.

The only thing that's kept me from embracing small (or mini) layouts is the relative dearth of operational possibilities. But when I start thinking about a hybrid (something mini "like"), I arrive back at HCD size for the default, and that's no longer mini.

Fortunately, space is not currently a big issue for me. But layouts like these -- and the work or our resident mini masters -- would have me eager to play if my current layout ever comes down ... or if I need something new on the side. 

Jim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It's a nice little design. I like the staging capability.

The only thing that's kept me from embracing small (or mini) layouts is the relative dearth of operational possibilities. But when I start thinking about a hybrid (something mini "like"), I arrive back at HCD size for the default, and that's no longer mini.

Fortunately, space is not currently a big issue for me. But layouts like these -- and the work or our resident mini masters -- would have me eager to play if my current layout ever comes down ... or if I need something new on the side. 

Jim

You know, when you roll out http://traincrew.conrail1285.com/, all of a sudden, simply swapping a boxcar takes 15 minutes.

[randgust]

Puh. Been doing this since before dirt. I laugh at your silly new addiction.

Yeah, DKS, what you said.   Well, I'm not sure how old your dirt is, but mine is 1976 and still running,  and was in July 1995 MR to prove it.  When I went away to college I was limited to the top of an 18x36 dresser, and a custom built box to hide it in and protect it.

It was out at a local historical society and locomotive restoration show this May.   It really hasn't changed much, biggest upgrade is a full sound system for the mill.

It's a stacked loop-to-loop, staging track underneath, 4.5% grades between, 8" curves.   Based on Wheeler & Dusenbury, Endeavor, PA 1922.  The white 'house' on the right was my fathers office between 1941 and 1965.



Now add to that a second 21x42 logging branch, and six (6!) T-trak modules, two of which are stand-alone independent switching layouts (triples)

The depth and beauty of what DKS and others have done on these - you can focus on some of the detail unlike a basement-sized operation, and you never have to worry about taking it down.  Designed properly, you can create links and modules that can work together or separately.

On the HVRR, my gearhead Climax and Shays trundle around at walking speed.  That's the real challenge, getting locomotives that are electrically reliable on such tight trackage and turnouts, and can run smoothly.  But you can still clean the track in a minute or two.